Euro 2012 Preview: Group C

Group C: Spain, Italy, Croatia, Republic of Ireland

Fixtures: Sunday 10 June
                 Spain v Italy. 5pm. PGE Arena, Gdansk
                 Republic of Ireland v Croatia. 7:45pm. Municipal Stadium, Poznan

                Thursday 14 June
                Italy v Croatia. 5pm. Municipal Stadium, Poznan
                Spain v Republic of Ireland. 7:45pm PGE Arena, Gdansk

                Monday 18 June
                Croatia v Spain. 7:45pm PGE Arena, Gdansk
                Italy v Republic of Ireland. 7:45pm. Municipal Stadium, Poznan

Spain

They're the reigning World and European champions, possess the best players in the world and play the best football in the world. So Spain are bound to win Euro 2012 right? It's not so certain now as it was a few months ago, with captain Carles Puyol and striker David Villa both ruled out through injury. Yes, they have an abundance of riches to call upon which would get into most other international teams, but they are not of the world class ability of all of their strongest starting XI. Another thing to consider is that this side has virtually played non-stop for the past four years, so fatigue could prove a factor.

Xavi:

Key Player: Xavi. One of many players that can win a game for Spain, but Barcelona's Xavi is arguably the best of them all. He was the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008, providing the killer pass for Fernando Torres to score the only goal of the final against Germany, while at the 2010 World Cup he attempted a pass every 57 seconds on average. His partnership with Andreas Iniesta for club and country is key to both teams success in the past four years.

Likely line up:

                            Casillas

 Arbeloa    Ramos          Pique       Alba

                 Busquets       Alonso

       Iniesta             Xavi             Silva

                            Llorente

Odds: Win the tournament: 5/2
           Win Group C: 1/2
            Fernando Llorente Top Goalscorer: 14/1

Matt Says: Fatigue could play a part. Beaten finalists.


Italy

In typical Italian fashion it was their defence which proved miserly in qualifying, conceding only two goals. But that only tells half the story. Under new manager Cesar Prandelli, they looked like a team more united than under predecessor Marcelo Lippi. Prandelli has also given a chance to youngsters, with Mario Balotelli, Antonio Nocerino and Claudio Marchisio all looking like they'll start the first game against Spain. However, just at the wrong time cracks are beginning to show. Yet another match fixing scandal has engulffed the country, while on the pitch they lost 3-0 to Russia in their only warm up friendly.

Cassano: Scored six goals in qualifying.

Key Player: Antonio Cassano. The AC Milan striker has missed a large part of this season after undergoing heart surgery in November as he suffered from cardiac problems. He made his comeback in April and was named in Prandelli's squad for this tournament. He does have a temperamental streak, which could prove interesting if he partners Mario Balotelli as is expected.

Likely line up:

                             Buffon

 Maggio   Chiellini     Barzagli    Criscito

              Pirlo    De Rossi    Nocerino

                          Marchisio

               Balotelli           Cassano

Odds: To win the tournament: 16/1
           To win Group C: 7/2
            Mario Balotelli Top Goalscorer: 22/1

Matt Says: Should get out of the group, but not much further.

Croatia

Croatia reached the quarter finals of Euro 2008, but could have gone a lot further. Going into extra time against Turkey, Ivan Klasnic scored two minutes from time and looked set to play Germany in the semi finals. But a last minute equaliser saw the game go to penalties and Turkey went through. They did get their revenge on the Turks in November as they won 3-0 on aggregate to qualify for Euro 2012, and their starting XI will feature a few players who play in the Premier League. The Spurs trio of Vedran Corluka, Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar are all well known, while striker Nikica Jelavic has been something of a revelation since signing for Everton in January.



Modric: The 26-year-old has over 50 caps for Croatia

Key Player: Luka Modric. One of the best players in the Premier League, Modric is Croatia's most creative player. Was named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament for Euro 2008 and will be looking for a repeat performance. He can play either behind the striker or in a deeper central role.

Likely line up:

                      Pletikosa

 Corluka  Lovren   Simunic  Strnic

  Srna    Vukojevic  Modric   Kranjcar

                Jelavic      Mandzukic

Odds: Win the tournament: 50/1
           Win Group C: 6/1
            Top Goalscorer Nikica Jelavic: 28/1

Matt Says: Strength in attack, but defence looks leaky. Early exit.

Republic of Ireland

Arguably the surprise package to reach Euro 2012, Giovanni Trappatoni's men aren't there just to make up the numbers. Currently on a 14 match unbeaten run, including a 2-0 friendly win over group rivals Italy, Ireland are 18th in the World Rankings and concede very rarely. On the flip side, they offer little up front either. They only scored 15 goals in ten games, or ten in eight games if you exclude the games against perennial qualification whipping boys Andorra. But Trappatoni doesn't mind. After all, he has guided Ireland to their first major tournament for ten years.

Given: Ireland's most capped player of all time.

Key Player: Shay Given. Still one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League despite his club side Aston Villa having a poor season. He is Ireland's most capped player with 121 caps and is one of a few that went to the last tournament Ireland qualified for back in 2002.

Likely line up:

                        Given

 O'Shea   Dunne    St.Ledger    Ward

 Duff     Andrews  Whelan   McGeady

                 Keane    Doyle

Odds: Win the tournament: 80/1
            Win Group C: 14/1
            Robbie Keane Top Goalscorer: 80/1

Matt Says: Will be tough to break down, but a lack of creativity will see them return home early.